Self-propelled trench-shoring apparatus

ABSTRACT

A trench-shoring apparatus having a modular panel construction whereby it may be readily adapted for use for lining trenches or open ground cuts of various depths and widths, with the apparatus being self-propelled by a series of cooperating and related hydraulic cylinders, so arranged and interconnected to different panels of the apparatus as to selectively create holding pressures against the side of the trench while effecting a forward moving thrust between panels.

United States Patent 1 Orfei Aug. 7, 1973 SELF-PROPELLED TRENCH-SHORING APPARATUS [76] Inventor: Louis A. Ortei, 1818 Lake St.,

Melrose Park, Ill. 60160 [22] Filed: Aug. 8, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 278,730

[52] US. Cl .L "61141 A [51] Int. Cl. E2ld 5/00 [58] Field of Search 61/41 A, 63,41, 61/84 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,908,140 10/1959 Everson, Jr. 61/41 A 3,204,415 9/1965 Hill, Jr. et a1 61/41 A 3,473,336 10/1969 Torti 61/41 A 3,608,319 9/1971 Quitadamo, Jr. 61/41 A Primary Examiner-Jacob Shapiro Attorney-Edward C. Threedy [57] ABSTRACT A trench-shoring apparatus having a modular panel construction whereby it may be readily adapted for use for lining trenches or open ground cuts of various depths and widths, with theapparatus being selfpropelled by a series of cooperating and related hydraulic cylinders, so arranged and interconnected to different panels of the apparatus as to selectively create holding pressures against the side of the trench while effecting a forward moving thrust between panels.

8 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAm; 1191a SHEET 1 OF 2 PAIENIEUAUG 1192s SHEET 2 0F 2 mum WJ m t IL rill .Luaax:

SELF-PROPELLED TRENCH-SHORING APPARATUS SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A modular panel construction trench-shoring apparatus readily assembled at the location of use and adjustable for varying lengths and depths of trenching. Depending upon the condition of the soil, a number of modular panels may be connected lengthwise together by hydraulic cylinders, with each panel connected by other hydraulic cylinders to spaced parallelly extending opposite side panels for movement relative to each other so as to compensate for varying widths of the trench and for creating sidewise expansion force of the panels against the corresponding sides of the trench, with such sidewise force capable of holding selected panels in place while lengthwise movement of other selected panels is achieved through the use of the panelconnecting hydraulic cylinders so as to progressively move the trenching apparatus in a given direction through the trench.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION The invention will be best understood by reference to the enclosed drawings, in which the preferred embodiment of the invention is shown, and wherein:

FIG. I is a fragmentary perspective view of the trench-shoring apparatus in an operative position;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational detailed view taken on line 2-2 of FIG. I and also showing confronting panels of the trench shoring apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view of one of the modular panels of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary top plan view of one of the modular panel sections of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the connector used for assembling the modular panels together; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view of two panels in extended relation.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a modular panel constructed shoring apparatus expandable both longitudinally and transversely along and against the sides of a trench continuously during the excavation thereof.

As shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus 10 comprises a series of prefabricated wall units 11 and 12, each of which consists of modular panels l3, l4 and 15, with each panel being identical in construction.

The apparatus includes a base unit 16 which provides a skid-like frame member 17 connected to the lowermost panel in a manner hereinafter made apparent.

One of the panels 13, as shown in FIG. 3, is constructed so as to include a frame consisting of a pair of longitudinally extending tubular forming members 12 and 19 joined together at their corresponding opposite ends; by vertical tubular end members 20 and 21. A center nrace 22 is provided midway between the end members 20 and 21 as well as a guide bracket 23 which is positioned adjacent to but spaced from the end member 21.

The tubular frame as described is then paneled on its exterior face with a suitable metal sheeting 2d, as shown in FIG. 4. This sheeting 24 is welded to the periphery of the frame, thus adding strength and rigidity to each modular panel.

The size of the tubular members forming the frame as well as the thickness of the sheeting may vary with the desired size of the modular panel.

To assemble a series of the panels, such as shown in FIG. 1, wherein three panels l3, l4 and 15 are shown, one upon another, a connector 25 is provided that is of a size to be inserted into the open ends of the tubular end members 20 and 21 of each of the panels when they are mounted in the manner shown in FIG. 1. Each of the, end members 20 and 21 is provided on the inner wall surface thereof with a bushing 26 which is in alignment with an opening 27 formed in the end member.

This arrangement is shown in FIG. 5, wherein the tubular end member 20 is shown, having the bushing 26 mounted thereon and which also discloses that the opposite confront-ing wall of the tubular end member 20 is provided with an opening 28 which is of the same diameter as the inner bore of the bushing 26. The connector 25 is likewise provided with sets of aligned openings 29, 30, 31 and 32 adapted to be placed in communication with the bushing 26 and the two openings 27 and 28 formed in the aligned end members of each of the panels. A locking pin 33 is adapted to be journalled through the bushing 26, the aligned openings 29 and of the connector 25, and into the opening 28 in the rear wall of the end member, as shown.

The locking pin 33 is releasably latched in place by a cotter pin 34 which is projectable through an opening 35 formed in one side wall of the bushing 26 and through an opening 36 formed in the shank portion of the cotter pin 33. By this arrangement, any number of panel units may be attached to each other in the manner shown in FIG. 1, with as many panels used as re quired to properly shore the side walls of the trench to thedetermined depth thereof.

In FIG. I, there is shown a wall section in full line consisting of units 111 and 12, with such units having certain of their panels connected together in such manner that one unit is movable longitudinally with respect to the other. In the arrangement shown, panels 13 and it are each provided with a hydraulic cylinder 37. One end of the cylinder is by a pin 38 connected to a mounting plate 39 welded onto the side of the brace 22 of the panel. The free end of the piston 40 of the cylinder 37 by a pin 41 is connected to an extension 42 which passes through suitable openings 23' in the guide brace 23 and the tubular end member 21. The free end of the extension 42 provides a tongue 43 which in turn is by a pin 44 pivotally connected to a bifurcated bracket 45 carried by the external confronting face of the and member 20 of a juxtapositioned unit 12.

In FIG. 2 there is shown a portion of the front elevation of the trench shoring apparatus wherein panels 13 and 14 of unit 111 are connected to like panels 13' and 14' of a confronting unit ill. The two units are connected together by a series of hydraulic cylinders 46, both of which are of the same construction and operate in the same manner with respect to corresponding parts of the apparatus. As shown, the hydraulic cylinder 46 provides a bifurcated end plate d? which by a pin 48 is connected to a T-shaped bracket 49 carried by the inner face of the brace 22. The piston 50 of the cylinder 46 is likewise connected by a pin 51 to a second bracket 52 carried by the inner confronting face of the brace 22' of panel 11'. By this arrangement the confronting wall sections of the shoring apparatus are movably connected together.

When the apparatus has been assembled in accordance with the depth and length of the trench portion to be shored thereby, the components will be arranged such as partially shown in FIG. 1 and as fully shown in FIG. 2, it being understood that the unit 12 of the apparatus as shown in FIG. 1 is likewise connected to a corresponding cooperating unit 12' in the same manner as unit 11 was described as being connected to the unit 11' by a series of hydraulic cylinders.

The apparatus is provided with suitable controls which are presently available and which per se make up no part of the invention except in their function with relation to the hydraulic cylinders hereinbefore identifled. Through a suitable control, the cylinders 46 of each wall section are operated so as to expel the associated pistons therefrom, forcing the modular panel units against the respective ground sides of the trench, thus preventing the same from collapsing or caving into the trench in a hazardous manner.

As the trench is lengthened and the shoring apparatus is desired to be moved, the following operation is performed: The hydraulic cylinders between the units 11 and 11' are backed off slightly to relieve the expanding pressures of the units against the side walls of the trench. However, as this is done hydraulically, the units may still maintain retaining contact with the sides of the trench to prevent their collapsing. The hydraulic cylinders between the rear units 12 and 12 are maintained in forcible expansion and act as a base for the forward progress of units 11 and 11' with respect thereto. The latter is accomplished by the actuation of the cylinders 37, which in turn will extend their pistons 40 and the extensions 42 thereof in the manner shown in FIG. 6.

By reason of the fact that the rear units 12 and 12' have been maintained in an expanded condition against the walls of the trench while the forward units 11 and 11 have been relaxed, the actuation of the pistons 40 of the cylinders 37 will be against the arrested panels 12 and 12' and will move the released units 11 and 11' forwardly and away from such arrested panels 12 and 12', thus accomplishing an extension between the two as shown in FIG. 6. At this time the cylinders 46 are again actuated to expand their units 11 and 11' against the side walls of the trench while the corresponding cylinders between the units 12 and 12' are relaxed or backed off, relieving their expanded pressures against the side walls of the trench. At this time the cylinders 37 are operated in a reverse manner, retracting their pistons 40. However, as the units 11 and 11' are now secured against the wall of the trench, such units will not move, but their companion units 12 and 12' will now be pulled forwardly until they again assume the positions shown in FIG. 1, at which time the forward movement of the apparatus has been completed.

It should be noted that by the described arrangement of the connections between the units 11 and 12, each may be expanded or retracted with respect to its companion unit 11' or 12' such that the trench may vary in width as the shoring apparatus moves longitudinally therethrough, without affecting the shoring operation of the apparatus. The same arrangement permits the apparatus to follow a gradual curve of the trench, without detracting from its shoring function.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction for carrying my invention into effect, this is capable of variation and modification without departing from the spirit of the invention. I, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of such variations and modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. A self-propelled trench-shoring apparatus having confronting wall units consisting of a series of prefabricated modular panels, with each panel comprising a. a substantially rectangularly shaped tubular frame adapted to be vertically disposed with its longitudinal length extending horizontally and with the frame having one side thereof completely covered with a metallic sheeting,

b. means for connecting the longitudinal edges of said frame to like frame members one upon the other to form a vertically disposed wall unit of varying height,

0. means for movably connecting each panel of a wall unit to a corresponding panel of a successive wall unit disposed in horizontal alignment to form a shoring apparatus of varying length, and

d. means for movably connecting spaced apart parallelly extending wall units together for reciprocal movement transversely with respect to their longitudinal lengths.

2. A self-propelled trench-shoring apparatus as defined by claim 1, wherein said means for movably connecting each panel of a wall unit to a corresponding panel of a successive wall unit comprises a hydraulic cylinder mounted within the tubular frame of each panel with the reciprocally movably piston thereof connected to a vertical edge portion of a corresponding panel of the next successive wall unit so that each panel of each wall unit may be moved through its longitudinal plane horizontally with respect to each other and through the trench to be shored.

3. A self-propelled trench-shoring apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein said means for connecting the longitudinal edges of said frame of each panel to a like frame of another panel comprises a connector insertable into open ends of said frame and having a locking pin journalled through said frame and said connector so as to removably connect one frame upon another to form a vertically disposed wall unit.

4. A self-propelled trench-shoring apparatus as defined by claim 3, wherein said means for movably connecting each panel of a wall unit to a corresponding panel of a successive wall unit comprises a hydraulic cylinder mounted within the tubular frame of each panel with the reciprocally movable piston thereof connected to a vertical edge portion of a corresponding panel of the next successive wall unit so that each panel of each wall unit may be moved through its longitudinal plane horizontally with respect to each other and through the trench to be shored.

5. A self-propelled trench shoring apparatus as defined by claim 1, wherein said means for movably connecting spaced apart parallelly extending wall units together comprise hydraulic cylinders extending transversely between spaced apart wall units and having pistons reciprocally movable therein so as to vary the spacing between said spaced parallelly extending wall units so as to dispose said wall units under pressure into facial abutment with the sides of the trench to be shored.

6. A self-propelled trench-shoring apparatus as defined by claim 5 wherein said means for connecting the v longitudinal edges of said frame of each panel to a like frame of another panel comprises a connector insertable into open ends of said frame and having a locking pin journalled through said frame and said connector so as to removably connect one frame upon another to form a vertically disposed wall unit.

7. A self-propelled trench-shoring apparatus as defined by claim 5 wherein said means for movably connecting each panel of a wall unit to a corresponding panel of a successive wall unit comprises a hydraulic cylinder mounted within the tubular frame of each panel with the reciprocally movable piston thereof connected to a vertical edge portion of a corresponding panel of the next successive wall unit so that each panel of each wall unit may be moved through its longitudinal plane horizontally with respect to each other and through the trench to be shored.

8. A self-propelled trench-shoring apparatus as defined by claim 4, wherein said means for movably connecting spaced apart parallelly extending wall units together comprise hydraulic cylinders extending transversely between spaced apart wall units and having pistons reciprocally movable therein so as to vary the spacing between said spaced parallelly extending wall units so as to dispose said wall units under pressure into facial abutment with the sides of the trench to be shored.

0 I! t t 

1. A self-propelled trench-shoring apparatus having confronting wall units consisting of a series of prefabricated modular panels, with each panel comprising a. a substantially rectangularly shaped tubular frame adapted to be vertically disposed with its longitudinal length extending horizontally and with the frame having one side thereof completely covered with a metallic sheeting, b. means for connecting the longitudinal edges of said frame to like frame mEmbers one upon the other to form a vertically disposed wall unit of varying height, c. means for movably connecting each panel of a wall unit to a corresponding panel of a successive wall unit disposed in horizontal alignment to form a shoring apparatus of varying length, and d. means for movably connecting spaced apart parallelly extending wall units together for reciprocal movement transversely with respect to their longitudinal lengths.
 2. A self-propelled trench-shoring apparatus as defined by claim 1, wherein said means for movably connecting each panel of a wall unit to a corresponding panel of a successive wall unit comprises a hydraulic cylinder mounted within the tubular frame of each panel with the reciprocally movable piston thereof connected to a vertical edge portion of a corresponding panel of the next successive wall unit so that each panel of each wall unit may be moved through its longitudinal plane horizontally with respect to each other and through the trench to be shored.
 3. A self-propelled trench-shoring apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein said means for connecting the longitudinal edges of said frame of each panel to a like frame of another panel comprises a connector insertable into open ends of said frame and having a locking pin journalled through said frame and said connector so as to removably connect one frame upon another to form a vertically disposed wall unit.
 4. A self-propelled trench-shoring apparatus as defined by claim 3, wherein said means for movably connecting each panel of a wall unit to a corresponding panel of a successive wall unit comprises a hydraulic cylinder mounted within the tubular frame of each panel with the reciprocally movable piston thereof connected to a vertical edge portion of a corresponding panel of the next successive wall unit so that each panel of each wall unit may be moved through its longitudinal plane horizontally with respect to each other and through the trench to be shored.
 5. A self-propelled trench shoring apparatus as defined by claim 1, wherein said means for movably connecting spaced apart parallelly extending wall units together comprise hydraulic cylinders extending transversely between spaced apart wall units and having pistons reciprocally movable therein so as to vary the spacing between said spaced parallelly extending wall units so as to dispose said wall units under pressure into facial abutment with the sides of the trench to be shored.
 6. A self-propelled trench-shoring apparatus as defined by claim 5 wherein said means for connecting the longitudinal edges of said frame of each panel to a like frame of another panel comprises a connector insertable into open ends of said frame and having a locking pin journalled through said frame and said connector so as to removably connect one frame upon another to form a vertically disposed wall unit.
 7. A self-propelled trench-shoring apparatus as defined by claim 5 wherein said means for movably connecting each panel of a wall unit to a corresponding panel of a successive wall unit comprises a hydraulic cylinder mounted within the tubular frame of each panel with the reciprocally movable piston thereof connected to a vertical edge portion of a corresponding panel of the next successive wall unit so that each panel of each wall unit may be moved through its longitudinal plane horizontally with respect to each other and through the trench to be shored.
 8. A self-propelled trench-shoring apparatus as defined by claim 4, wherein said means for movably connecting spaced apart parallelly extending wall units together comprise hydraulic cylinders extending transversely between spaced apart wall units and having pistons reciprocally movable therein so as to vary the spacing between said spaced parallelly extending wall units so as to dispose said wall units under pressure into facial abutment with the sides of the trench to be shored. 